Performance & Drivability:
Both cars have more or less equivalent performance. The Redi Go, has a slight edge over the WagonR, in spite of its 200 cc disadvantage, thanks to its 250 kg lighter kerb weight. Both cars have weak low-end torque, requiring frequent gear shifting during city commutes. The WagonR’s K10 engine though, has an edge over the Redi Go in terms of refinement and its blissfully free-revving nature.

Fuel Efficiency:
In our real world tests, the Redi Go was almost 3 kmpl more efficient than the WagonR. This translates to a savings of 45,000 Rs. over a usage of 75,000 kilometers at current petrol prices.

Space & Comfort:
The WagonR is slightly longer in length, than the Redi Go, but the Redi Go is wider, than the WagonR. This gives the WagonR better leg-room, while the Redi Go gets better shoulder-room. That being said, the difference is quite negligible. Redi Go itself has adequate leg-room, and knee-room, and both cars can accommodate no more than two passengers, on the rear seat. The Redi Go’s 222 litre boot, is a much needed, 42 litres bigger, than WagonR’s piddly little boot of 180 litres. Although, the WagonR’s interiors definitely feel more premium than the dull and dated interiors of the Redi Go.

Ride Quality & Handling:
The WagonR, is one of the worst handling cars in our market. It’s excessively tall height, and relatively narrow width, gives it immense body roll around the bends. Understeer cuts in way too early and pushing it around corners, is a borderline scary experience. Stability under panic braking, is also in dire need of improvement. In contrast the Redi Go, though not great, has far better cornering manners, than the WagonR, with decent grip and agility, around the bends. Both cars have excessively over assisted steering setups, resulting in further detriment of their cornering abilities. WagonR’s ride quality, is also a touch inferior to Redi Go’s and its lower ground clearance, limits its ability to tackle broken roads in comparison to the Redi Go as well.

Reliability and After Sales Service:
Nissan-Datsun, still has a long way to go, to even get close to the levels of, Hassle Free Ownership experience, provided by Maruti-Suzuki, in India. Firstly, WagonR has proven its reliability, to the Indian Car Buyers sufficiently well, over the past decade. Redi Go on the other hand, has a newly developed powertrain, exclusively for developing markets, and it is best to wait it out, till there’s enough evidence, that excessive cost-cutting, hasn’t resulted, in any reliability issues. Maruti’s Service Stations, have also proven to be effective, punctual and affordable, while Datsun’s unestablished dealers, are yet to get their operations in order. Last but not the least, Maruti’s sheer network reach, with its 2000+ touch points is far wider than Nissan’s 200 odd service outlets.

Verdict:
The majority of Indian Car Buyers, are prone to follow the herd mentality, and they will always join the queue outside Maruti showrooms, for the WagonR. But for the rational few, who base their decisions on facts, rather than second hand opinions, will definitely go for the Datsun Redi Go. The Redi Go is much better value for money, than the WagonR, thanks to lower price, more features and lower running costs. It is also a more practical car than the WagonR, with an equally comfortable cabin, and a usefully bigger boot. The Redi Go ‘S’ in all probability, is also bound to be safer than the WagonR LXi, thanks to the driver airbag. It is also a technically superior automobile to the WagonR with slightly better performance, significantly better efficiency, and immensely better dynamics, than the WagonR and thus, is our choice of this test.